The Kansa went on buffalo hunts after they arrived on their reservation
in Indian Territory in June of 1873. Men women and children went about
75 to 100 miles west of the reservation wagons and on ponies. For the
most part, muzzle-loading guns were used, but some men still used their
bows and arrows.
When a buffalo was killed, the animal was skinned and the meat was
jerked, an old process that had been learned to preserve the meat. A
narrow strip of the meat was cut for a hand hold and then it was pulled
off and hung to dry.
Their last big hunt ended in February of 1874. From the buffalo furs
alone they made $5,000. This last hunt was also memorable because an
Indian woman who traveled with them gave birth to a little boy. He was
Forrest Chouteau, who in later years became a prominent and respected
leader of the Kansa.